Join us for the first presentation in the Spring 2018 CNM•UNM LAS Speaker Series as Dr. Benjamin Warner shares his research on how smaller farmers adapt to climate change in Costa Rica.

In this presentation, he will describe the challenges these farmers face, not only in terms of decreasing water access but also in their ability to meet the demands of the local rice economy. In this economy, more powerful rice industry leaders have responded to changes in international trade treaties by industrializing local rice production. This has made it difficult for small farmers to sell their rice in the increasingly competitive market. This increased competition, combined with limited water access has required small farmers to take drastic steps to avoid falling into poverty. We will discuss these challenges and what can be done to overcome them from an international and national perspective.

Warner joined the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at The University of New Mexico in 2017, following his appointment as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the University of Massachusetts. His research focuses geographically on Latin America, with additional emphases in Central America, and Southwestern and New England regions of the US. Thematically, his research is broadly defined as development geography, with specific topics including water governance and institutions; Central American development; agrarian adaptation in Central America’s “dry corridor;” vulnerability, risk, and adaptation to environmental change and globalization; political economy of climate adaptation programs; critical development studies; and mixed methods.

Notes:

This lecture is presented as part of the Spring 2018 CNM*UNM LAS Lecture Series organized jointly by the UNM Latin American and Iberian Institute and CNM. It is supported by the US Department of Education Title VI. All are welcome and invited to attend. Please note that it will be held on the CNM Main Campus in the Smith Brasher Building (SB), Room 105.

Sponsors:

Central New Mexico Community College, Latin American and Iberian Institute (with support from the US Department of Education Title VI